1018 Mild Steel
1018 is a low-carbon mild steel that machines and welds easily, used for general-purpose parts where high strength is not required.
- Family /
- Carbon Steels
- Machinability /
- ~78%
- Condition /
- Hot rolled or cold rolled
- Also called /
- ten eighteen
1018 is a low-carbon mild steel that machines and welds easily, used for general-purpose parts where high strength is not required.
Machinability is approximate and rated against free-machining 1212 steel at 100%. Higher is easier to cut.
What it is
One of the most common steels in a shop. Available hot rolled or cold rolled, with cold rolled giving better surface finish, tighter size tolerance and higher strength from the rolling process itself.
How it cuts
Easy to cut but gummy. It tends to tear rather than shear cleanly at low speeds, producing a poor finish and stringy chips. Sharp tooling and adequate speed give far better results than caution does.
What catches people out
Cold rolled bar carries internal stress from rolling. Machining material off one side unbalances that stress and the part bows — which is why long flat parts made from cold rolled plate often will not stay flat.
1018 Mild Steel — Common Questions
Why did my 1018 part bow after machining?
- Cold rolled bar and plate carry internal stress from the rolling process. Removing material from one face unbalances it and the part moves. The fixes are to rough, stress relieve and then finish, or to start from hot rolled or stress-relieved stock.
Other carbon steels
Got a part for 1018 Mild Steel?
Send the drawing or the sample. We will tell you straight what it will take to make.